U15 Kerry Shield Winners Killarney Athletic

Under 15 Shield Winners
Athletic 1 Killorglin 1
Athletic win 3-2 on penalties.
Played in Mounthawk Park, Tralee, Athletic travelled with a strong panel only missing the influential Patryk Komosa. Athletic started brightly with Lee & Pierce getting on top early in midfield. This allowed O’Sullivan & Mulvanney the freedom down the wings to cause Killorglin problems. The best chance of the first half came when Horgan, who was excellent throughout got his head on Mulvanney’s corner, his header was then saved brilliantly by the Killorglin ‘keeper, who was a man on form & in the ensuing scramble Killorglin cleared the ball. The Athletic back four were in excellent form, led by Alade, with Tynan, O’Brien & the marauding McCann flying down the wing Killorglin were left to lumping hopeful long balls. It was one of these long balls that caught the defence napping, as The Killorglin striker saw his shot rebound off the post into the grateful grasp of Doolan. With Bellew finding joy up against the last man Athletic kept pressing but could not make the breakthrough. Into the second half and with Athletic going more direct they found joy against a static defence. Athletic’s breakthrough came early on when a cross from Bellew found Mulvanney at the far post who from a tight angle unleashed a pile driver that the keeper tipped onto the inside of the post, went across the line, hit the other post & went in for a deserved lead. However, you’re at your most vulnerable just after you’ve scored as within five minutes Killorglin were level. A long ball again caught the defence napping & the Killorglin striker latched onto the ball over the top & made no mistake from close range. Undeterred Athletic pressed on, with Carroll doing well in goal & the ever improving Osieba using the ball well Athletic started to create more chances. Bellew was unlucky not to score when he beat three defenders & lifted over from close range & McCann forced a fine save from the keeper as well as Lee going close. Killorglin were dangerous on the counter & with some brilliant blocks by Quill and O’Brien kept the scores tied. With both sides tiring the game could have gone either way & but for some alert goalkeeping from Carroll it may have been curtains. And so into extra time with Doolan reintroduced he did well to cut out a free kick. O’Shaughnessey also added some finesse in defence & shored up the back line. Horgan, O’Sullivan & Bellew all went close but this game was destined for penalties.
Athletic went first and missed their first & third penalties. Killorglin scored their first two & with Athletic staring down the barrel up stepped Doolan to give a display of nerve & skill not likely to be repeated anytime soon. Diving to his right he saved the first, to bring Athletic back into the game, up stepped Alade to equalise, Doolan again dived to his right to bring us back to par. Lee then sent the keeper the wrong way handing Athletic the lead again. Again up stepped Doolan, this time adjusting brilliantly midway through his dive to his left to claw away the last penalty. All that was left was for Captain Eoghan Mulvanney to collect the trophy. A huge thank you to all parents & supporters who travelled today & around the county with the team all year. Commiserations to Killorglin who were sporting throughout who I’ve no doubt will be back next year.
Squad in full, Doolan, Carroll, McCann, Alade, Tynan, O’Brien, Pierce, Lee, Mulvanney, O’Sullivan, Bellew, Horgan, Moynihan, Osieba, O’Callaghan, Hickey, Quill, Adhmed, O’Shaughnessey, Warren & Komosa.

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 at 9:39 pm and is filed under Team News, U 15.